Brake equalizer



Dec. 5,4 1939.

H. 'P. DOUD ETI' AL BRAKE EQUAL I ZER Filed Nov. l2, 1938 V2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 5, 1939. H, R DOUD Er AL 2,181,967

BRAKE EQUALIZER Filed Nov. l2, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .sa 77 gg 5363; "pz' Il Ih ..1 mmm www Patented Dec. 5, 1939 imitan stars-s rarer reise rhis invention relates to tension or brake equalizers for devices where a load is appliedv fromone member to each of several or a plurality of members of a mechanism so as to equalize the applied tension, movement or load, and effectively compensate for any differential existing in the parts due to loose, broken or displaced connections, Wear, variances in adjustment, or other inequalities, so that a luniform action will 10ibe eifected on each of saidv several members.

Specifically, the invention, While not so limited in its use, is particularly adapted forapplication and use in connection with vehicle brakes and especially the brakes of automobiles, although 15?? capable of application in principle to railroad rolling stock.

A further object of the invevtion is to` provide a novel, simple and inexpensive equalizer for automobile brakes, either two or four wheel, and 201A to a unit'or mechanism to equalize the braking action or load on the brakes of all wheels and especially mechanical brakes, wherebyv equal and uniform brake pressure to check the movement and momentum of the auto-mobile or other ve- 25. hicle will be applied to or exerted on all opposed Sets or pairs of brakes by a minimum of applied pressure or expenditure of energy, and at the same time uniformly compensate for any lack of uniformity or inequality of action of the brakes 305; and the shoes against the `drums or of the connectionsbetween the brake rod or pedal and the brakes themselves, and which in case o'f looseness, disconnection or breakage of any parts, such as connecting or brake rods, which might render 3,5'. certain of the brakes ineffective or partially so, will so distribute or equalize the braking pressures on the other brakes that the vehicle can be safely and effectively brought to a stop, slowed, r the speed checked, as traffic conditions may 40v require, and without side skid or endangering the occupants or other vehicles, traffic or pedestrians,

Still another object is to provide a very simple' mechanicall brake equalizer for automobiles 4.5i which 'can be easily applied to vehicles already constructed or initially with little cost for parts or labor` in applying and connectingk thel same, j

as well as with but slight modification, and which also operates in conjunction with the usual foot 50-;operated service brake pedal or foot lever, and

the emergency brake lever. y v

A still further object is to provide a brake equalizer-of'. the character set forth which constitutes, a simple unit assembly capable of appli- 55:; cation toV the chassis frame andwhich can be leasily applied or mounted in position for convenient connection to the brake levers and rods, and which-is protected or guarded against the collection of dirt or foreign. elements hindering the working mechanism.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter and be more fully brought out, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, where- Fig. 1 is a plan rView showing parts of the chassis of an automobile with the brake equalizer constituting the subject matter of the present invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlargedvertical vsectional elevation taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the equalizer unit; y l

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig 6 is a perspective View of one of the sleeves of the equalizer unit;

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a floating collar employed in connection with the equalizer;

Fig. 8 is a cross section showing the collar of Fig. 7 in end elevation;

Fig. 9 is a diametrical section taken on the line 8 9 of Fig. 8; f l

. Fig. 10 is a similar view taken on the line lll-I l)v of Fig. 8; *Y

- Fig. 11 is a view similar'- to Fig. 2 of a modified form of the device;

Fig. 12 is a section taken on the line l2 |2 of Fig, 11; V v

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 10 of the modified form;

Fig. 14 is anend View of the collar and attached parts with the shaft omitted corresponding to Fig. 8;

Fig.` 15 is a fragmentary elevation corresponding to Fig. 9; l

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken onthe line IS |6 of Fig. 15; and

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of one o1" the guard clips. f i

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1-10, inclusive, there is shown a part of a Vchassis of an automobile in order to illustrate the application of thedevice to a vehicle or rolling stock, in the present instance, illustrated as an automobile having `the usual frame including longitudinal side bars 29 provided with the usual braces 2l commonly known as the usual X or cross bracev for reinforcement purposes,

although it is to be understood that any suitable frame structure or underpinning may be employed, but preferably one provided with a transverse brace or connecting member 22 shown extending between the braces 2l and of course properly connected thereto. the present invention is shown especially applied to an automobile with mechanical brakes, that is wherein the braking pressure is applied by connections from the brake pedal or lever rather than through the interpositioning of some fluid transfer element such as used in hydraulic or fair brakes, although not limited to such application. It comprises. a mounting or base plate 23 disposed vertically or otherwise but shown secured in such vertical position against the front of the cross brace or transverse connecting member 22 as by bolts or the like 24. Of course, the cross brace may be equipped originally with bearings instead of using a separate plate, the latter being particularly desirable when applied to cars already constructed. 'Ihe mounting member or base plate 23 is provided at its ends with bearing arms 25 shown extending forwardly and having bearing sleeves 26 at their free ends, these sleeves 26 being provided with suitable babbit or brass bushings 21, although other suitable bearings or antifriction members may be employed. Journaled in the bearings is a shaft 28 suitably held against axial movement or translation such as by sleeves on opposite sides of certain of said bearings, asit is thought will be obvious and as now will be described. A sleeve 29 is fixed to the shaft 28 in any suitable Way by a cross pin, key or otherwise and has a forkedarm 30, the tines 0r branches of which are preferably provided with a plurality of holes 3l for connection with a brake or link rod 32 connected to the service brake lever or foot pedal 33 suitably mountedras customary. Collars 34 and 35 are also fixed to the shaft 28immediately insideof the'bearings 26andr are in the form of sleeves or other suitable form producing operating members in conjunction with the other parts of the equalizer unit as will be apparent as the description proceeds. These collars may be xed to the shaft in any suitable way as is the sleeve 29 and are shown connected thereto by pins 36. The sleeve or collar 35 is provided with a forked arm 31 to which a brake or link rod 38 is pivotally connected and in turn connected to the emergency brake lever 3S which, like the service brake lever or foot pedal, is simply mounted according to standard practice.

Each of the collars or sleeves 34 and 35 is provided with a lateral lug v48 but extending in opposite directions inwardly and conforming to the arc of its respective collar. Each lug or sloping projection has a diagonally and spirally formed beveled portion or edge 4I and a right angular or release shoulder 42 at the opposite ends of the respective lugs, the purpose of which will subsequently appear. The circumferential portions ,43 between the beveled or sloping portions 4I and the shoulder portions 42 disposed axially and radially or diametrically at their edge portions with respect to the axis of the shaft, are disposed at right angles to the axis and to the shoulders 42 and each lug extends, one-fourth the way around the circurnference'or an area or arc of ninety degrees, although any other suitable arrangement may be employed. However, with this construction, the desired strength is provided and a uniformity of arrangement as well as facility in manufacture is provided'for: Y

Ihe equalizer of v y drawings.

Collars '44 'and 45 are loosely mounted on the shaft 28 immediately within the collars 34 and 35 respectively and each has a notch or recess 46 conforming to the shape of the lugs 48 and having beveled edges 41 and end shoulders 48 as well as edge portions 49 extending circumferentially and opposing the beveled spiral portions 4I, the

shoulders 42, and the edge portions 43 respectively, of the lugs 48, but so formed as to allow slight play or lost motion therebetween which in ordinary standard brake practice would be approximately one-sixteenth of an inch or `slightly less, and collars 34 and 35 by reason of being fixed to the shaft 28 limit the relative movement between the vcollars as clearly shown in the The opposing shoulders 42 and 48 serve to release the brakes and return the parts v to normal positions when the brake pedal is released.v

As before mentioned, the beveled edge portions or Walls 4|,and 41 are cut spirally so as to follow the curvature of the sleeves or collars and shaft and substantially at an angle of forty-live degrees to the axis as Well as radially relative to the thickness thereof and these walls-:contact so as to slideV relatively and impart axial move- 4ment to the respective sleeves or collars 44 andA 45 as will be subsequently described. vForked arms 56 and 5| are` extended downwardly from the respective right and left hand collars 44 and 45 as distinguished from the diametrically'aligned upwardly extending positions of the arms 30 and 31 and are pivotally connected by link rods 52 and 53 respectively with the-actuating levers ofv the front brakes 54 and 55 having the lusual drums, bands, and other standard structure for shoulders 42 and 48 serving as stops or 'release-V means. to cause the collars or sleeves tov return to neutral spaced relation when the brake pedal'.-

or lever is'released or returned to inoperative position to release the brakes. Similar forked arms 62 and 63 are provided on and extend upwardly from the inner collars 56 and 51 and are connected by link rods 64 and 65 respectively to` the rearbrakes 65 and 61 forthe purpose of ac'tuating the same, as is customary. Thus, itjwill be noted that the arms 62 and 63 are positioned within the arms 50 and 5| and while the arm A3T is --shown positioned at the end Opposite tothe positionof the arm 3D, the latter arm may be provided with 'a double fork or otherwise suit'- `ably constructed to permit connection of the emergency brake lever and associated parts thereto, where thev emergency brake is located atA thel left part, of the'chassis instead of to the right of the transmission or in the center.

v A pair of diametrically opposite guidel lugs 68 are rectangularly formed and pinned, welded, riv-l eted, formed integralV or otherwise fixed or keyed to the shaft 28 as shown at 69` and are arcuate to fit the contour of the periphery of the'shaft and fit within guide slots 10 of an intermediate or central oating collar 1I of uniform linear dimension throughoutzits circumference. This Acollar 15a otherwise.

has oppositely projecting lugs 12 and 13 extendingA fromv opposite sides thereof within the inner surface of thecollar in the same circle orplane as the collarspreviously described soy as to t 'I' edgewise against .the collars 56 and. 51 and these of about one-fourth `of an inch is provided for.

It should be noted that the lugs 12 and 13 project lfrom opposite sides of the collar 1| and are guided between the lugs 68 sothat the collar must shift axiallyon the shaft in either direction `and the edges formed as a continuation of the shoulmovement with respect to the diametrically op-` posed pairs of lugs. Incidentally, it may be mentioned thatwhile each lug occupies an arc of substantially ninety degrees on the shaft andthe respective collar, this is not absolutelyfessential as other suitablearrangement or extension instead of one-fourth of a circumference maybe employed. However this construction gives considerable` strength to the lugs although no excessive strain is really essential to actuate the brakes operating ingood order tofcheck the momentum or stop a vehicle.

In order to protect the parts of the equalizer and the joints between the collars and opposed beveled coacting faces orl edges thereof so as to guard against the entrance of dirt or other foreign matter which might hinder working. thereof when properly lubricated, a plurality of coverings are provided shown in the form of metal clips or guards, the outer ones of which are designated at 11 with out-turned edges and overlapping ends as. shown in Fig. 17. These guards cover rthe joints between the collars 34 and. and 35 and 45while similar clips 18 cover the joints between the collars 44 and 55 and 45 and 51 respectively. A central clip 19which is slightly, convex to embrace -thecollar 1l, covers the joints between the collars 56` and 'il and 51 and 1|, the ends of the clips being sufficiently spaced from the forked arms at all points correspondingito theplay or loose motion between the collars or sleeves to permit shifting of the latter in the operation of the device in applying and releasing the brakes on opposed pairsof wheels and equalizing the action thereof. yIt will also be noted thatA thev lugs of the collars at each side of the longitudinal center are disposed in opposite relation and each series of lugs upon opposite positions, the shoulders being arranged. axially or spirally to cause the parts to shifty easily and smoothly.

In the construction shown in Figs. 11-16, inclusive, the arrangement is the same as that already described inconnection with Figs. 1-10, inclusive, and Fig. l1, except that the shoulders 42, 48, 6l and 15lvare extended at a spiral angle parallel to the beveled portions "4I, 41, 60 and 14 to release in the reverse direction, but with play between the parts as indicated yat -16, the shoulders 83 opposing the-beveled shoulders 8| at the recesses to give the required release 4action separatingl the collars and returning them to neutralrpositicns when the brake lever is released innop-position to c the lshoulders 82 and v83. In`

to the shaft, may be, otherwise secured thereto and the lugs 12 and 13 which project from opposite sides of the collar 1l may be suitably secured thereto as byrivets 84 instead of being 4formed integral, welded or otherwise attached thereto.

In the operation of the equalizer -with the parts in normal positions when the brakes are unapplied, the collars will be spaced apart atv the beveled 'lugs or extensions provided thereon, this being theneutral position. However, when the brake rod of the vehicle is operated as by actuation ofthe service brake lever or foot pedal 33 or the emergency lever 39, angular move ment or rotation is imparted to the shaft through the medium of the arm or lever 30 or 31 tending to turn the respective arms 50 and 5| in the reverse direction from the arms 62 and 63 owing to the fact that they are positioned upon diametrically opposite sides and above and below the shaft 23 ltc impart movement to the rods 52, 53, B4 and 85 to apply the brakes 5d, 55, 65 and 61. Any lack of uniformity in the setting of the brakes, and particularlythe brake bands or any wear thereon or due to looseness of any of the connections between the parts will be uniformly this instance, the-lugsv 68 instead of being pinned compensated for so that the tension-will be equalf ized on all members or brakes from the load actuating member and an `equal and uniform pressure will be exerted on veach brake due to the collars 34 and 35 being fixed to the shaft to limit the relative movement between the collars and "the ,coacting opposed beveled lugs or faces of the respective collars acting oppositely upon opposite sides of the floating central collar causing the collars to shift axially on the shaft. This results from the fact that if one connection is loose, a greater amount of movement of its corresponding arm will be required to actuate the same and connected brake shoe than the partswhich are relatively tight or in which there isno lost motion or play. This will insure that all of the brakes or actuated members will be equally tensioned and in the case of a vehicle, the effective action of the brakes on opposed wheels will be uniform,

thus effectively checking the motion of the Vehicle without side sway or skid. yWhile the brakes are preferably adjusted for uniform action, the present device insures against improper braking action in case of looseness or breakage of one or 5;;

more brake rods or any of the connections of the operative parts to the brakes. Where lthe parts becomedisconnected or one brake rod is broken or out of order, the braking pressure will be re tained on the remaining ones due to the shifting l of the respective collars or levers, which are operative so that the brakesr may be eectively applied. This is due to the fact that when pres- By way of specific example in'explaining thef.'

operation and action of the device, if the brake rod to the collar 44 was loose, greater movement would be applied to the brake rod 52 and thusy brakes 55 and E5 would be uniformly applied, and greater.y pressure wouldbe applied on the collar 5.6 and, would slide this collar'down on the lug of the' collar 'H whichwould in turn move the collar 56 against the collar 44, thereby moving thelatterlcollar upon the lug of the collarv from .theactuating means is the same, but the movements and the sum' of the pressure applied: by. therespective collarssuch .as 57, and 45 will always equal that of the corresponding collars Eiland M by reason'. of the floatingcollar 1I and since this is the case, by means of the previously described compensating arrangement, the pressure on the collar 57 Will always `equal the pressure'fonthe collar iland therefore the pressure. ony all of .the other collars=will becorres'pondingly l equal. If the brake rod 53 to the collar 45 should breakfor become loose',I then thepressure on the collar ''lrwo'uld 'be equalV to the sums of the pres.-

sures on the collars it and 56 and a braking pressure i would therefore be maintained on the brakes. disconnected, theA resistancev ofthe collars 64 and 56 in the processofbrakingwould slide the fioating collar 'H against the collars 51 and 45 and this would leave the collars 44 and 55` free lto equalize thems'elvesbymeans of the lugs on the collar 'H and the lugs onthe collar 34 so that.`

in each instance effective braking pressurewill be app-lied. When brakesare applied on only twoopposed Wheels instead of on all four Wheels, the .i respective connections to the wheels not equipped with brakes, may be omitted or the -4respective collars/at the center and lugs for two-wheel brakes together with thei'function thereof.

' It will be Iunderstood that, while We have illus.

trated and described the preferred form of construction for carr ing our invention intoeiect,

and the preferred procedural steps for carryingl of such variations and modifications as come.

within the scope of the appended claims;

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: f

1. In a brake equalizer, a shaft, means mounting the shaft for rotation, collars on the shaft, means for actuating the shaft, certain of said collars having opposed inclined portions coacting with each other, means for connecting certain of said collars with brakes or the like, and means to automatically cause opposite uniform action on said collars and brakes.

2. In a brake equalizer unit, a mounting plate having bearings, a shaft journ'aled therein, anv

3. Ina brakeequalizer unit, amounting plate4 having bearings, a shaft vjournaled therein, an actuating member connected tothe shaft toturn the same, a plurality'of shiftable collars `on the shaft and an intermediate floating collar between `said collars, said collars having opposedl oppositelyv positioned projections and recesses coact- If the collars 5l andli should become ing with each/other, the collars on or'ipositelsides ofthe intermediate collar having projections and.

4. In agbra'ke equalizer unit, a mounting plate havingbearings, 'aa shaft j ournaled therein;v an ac-f" tuatin'gzfmember. connected to the shaft to turn the same, a .plurality of collars on the shaft, certainffof` said collars'beingfxedto theA shaft, and` a-i'centralfflogatingcollar having projections on`v each side thereofzadapted to engage corresponding recesses.offadjacentcollars, twoor more of said .collars being-loose on the shaft ,and having meansvfor. connection with' brakesor the like.`y`

central floating collar "having projections on each sidey thereof adapted to engage corresponding recesses' of adjacent'collars, two ory more of said cellars having means forficonnection with brakes or the like, saidjcollars having oppositely inclinedv coacting portions-.forming stops and adapted to' shift certain. ofthe collars in reverse directions,v

over the joints'between said and covermeans collars;v I if 6.*'Ihe c ombinationrina vehicle' having a plurality-.zoi wheelsandaplurality o'f1brakes,operat ing meansltherefor; 'and'coacting beveled equalizing means* between-I said vbrakes andoperatingmeans, said means including a floating member held.y against rotation relative" to. said operating meansabut. adapted to shift longitudinally in opposite directions and said beveled means being oppositely beveledI and. actingA in opposite directions.`

r`'7. A brake equalizer `unit including mounting means,lbearings,ra shaft. mounted .tov turn-in the bearings and. held Iagainst `axial movement, a

lever-havingxconnection with .the shaftto par? tiallyturn the same, a plurality of-collarsbn the shaft, certain Ofsaid 'collars being fixed thereto andr other of said collars adapted to shift axiallyjsaidlcollarsA having coacting beveled portions,

vl15 5. Inra` brake equalizer unit, a mounting plate and a .floating collar having oppositely projecting.

beveledportions'coacting with adjacent collars to equalize-action `o`n ally of the collars, certain of said collars fhavingfconnection with actuated ,means- 1' y i n 8.Means for-distributing an applied force to a plurality .of .forcel receiving devices comprising a plate havingbearings, a shaft mounted to turnv therein, an armo'n the shaft adaptedfor conne'ction With'an operating member, a plurality of .collarsJo-n the .shaft arrangedr in sets but all cooperative, said a collars' includingv inter-fitting projections and recesses betweencertain thereof,

andanfintermediate member adaptedto. move axially in opposite directions to act on saidcollars infopposit directions, certain of thecollars having means for .connection yWith-.opposed forcere ceiving devices..

@9.Inna brake lequalizenta plate having. bearing arma:` a zeshaft. mounted. .tov turn'y therein against longitudinal movement, anarm on' the .shaft between certain ofthe collars having recesses with y inclined portions spirallyarranged to cause the when the shaft is turned for equalizing the action of the arms cn the force receiving means or brakes, means to limit the relative movement between said collars and a floating collar between the sets of collars on the shaft between the sets of collars coacting with adjacent collars and having corresponding projections and recesses to cause opposite action on the different sets of collars to equalize the action therebetween and cause uniform action on all brakes irrespective of looseness or lack of uniformity therebetween.

10. In a brake equalizer, a plate having bearing arms, a shaft mounted to turn therein against longitudinal movement, an arm on the shaft adapted for connection with an actuating means, a plurality of opposed sets of collars on the shaft, adjacent collars of adjacent sets having flat faces adjacent each other and certain .of said sets having arms for connection with brakes or other actuated means and coacting edges adapted to cause said collars to shift axially when the shaft is partially turned, and means to equalize the actions of the opposed sets of collars in opposite direction.

1l. In a brake equalizer, a plate having bearing arms, a shaft mounted to turn therein against v longitudinal movement, an arm on the shaft having bearings, a shaft journaled therein, an

actuating member connected to the shaft to turn the same, a plurality of sets of shiftable collars on the shaft and an intermediate floating collarbetween opposed collars of an intermediate set having opposed projections and recesses coacting with each other, certain of said projections forming stops and the others being beveled to cause the collars to shift longitudinally when the shaft is turned, certain of said collars being fixed to the shaft and collars of adjacent sets abutting with smooth faces designed to turn relatively.

13. The combination in a vehicle having a plurality of wheels and a plurality of brakes, operating means therefor, coacting beveled equalizing means between said brakes and operating means, said'means including a iioating member and said beveled means being oppositely beveled and acting in opposite directions and guide means for said floating member holding the same against rotation relative only to the operating means but guiding the same to move in opposite directions.

i4. Means for distributing an applied force to a plurality of force receiving devices comprising a plate having bearings, a shaft mounted to turn therein, an arm on the shaft adapted for connection with an operating member, a plurality of collars on the shaft including two fixed collars and arranged in sets with and between said fixed collars, ysaid collars having intertting projections and recesses opposing each other in each set and adapted 'to form stops in one direction and to cause the same to shift axially when turned in the opposite direction, and an intermediate floating collar restrained against relative rotation on the shaft, but adapted to move axially in opposite directions to act on said collars in opposite directions, certain of the collars having means for connection with opposed force receiving devices.

l5. In a brake equalizer, a plate having bearing arms, a shaft mounted to turn therein against longitudinal `movement, an arm on the shaft adapted for connection with an actuating means, a plurality of sets of collars on the shaft, certain of said sets having arms for connection with brakes or other actuated means, coacting faces between certain of the collars having recesses with inclined portions spirally arranged to cause the collars to shift relatively in an axial direction when the shaft is turned for equalizing the action of the arms on the force receiving means or brakes, and a floating collar on a shaft between the sets of collars coacting with adjacent collars and lhaving corresponding projections and recesses to cause opposite action on the different sets of collars to equalize the action therebetween and cause uniform action on all the brakes irrespective of looseness or lack of uniformity therebetween.

I-IOBART P. DOUD.

LLOYD I-I. CLARY. 

